Resilient resin foam polyhedron &amp; bat

ABSTRACT

An amusement apparatus for contests of skill and amusement between two players. A resiliently deformable, polyesterurethane foam cube is suspended by a cord from the ceiling of a room. Each of the opposing players, seated on radially opposite side of the cord, grasp a bat and alternately strike the cube and propel it toward his opponent.

United States Patent [191 Schaller et a1.

[ RESILIENT RESIN FOAM POLYHEDRON &

BAT

[75] Inventors: Joseph P. Schaller; E. Chris Jorgensen; Louis J. Critelli, Jr., all of Columbus, Ohio [73] Assignee: Skill Sports, llnc., Columbus, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 202,249

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/95 A, 272/78, 273/67 R, 273/58 R, 273/58 C [51] Int. Cl A631) 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/58 C, 95 A, 97 R, 273/98, 67 R, 72, 58 R, 58 E; 46/24; 272/78 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1904 Spink 273/95 A 7/1972 Benjamin 273/67 R 4/1957 Bennett 273/67 R Dec. 1-, I973 3,262,703 7/1966 l-lodlick 273/95 A 2,747,873 5/1956 Carroad 273/95 A 2,987,317 6/1961 Acevedo... 273/67 R 3,518,786 7/1970 Holtvoigt 46/24 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 4,377 3/1905 Great Britain 273/95 A 3,379 8/1931 Australia 273/72 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney-Anthony D. Cennamo et al.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT An amusement apparatus for contests of skill and amusement between two players. A resiliently deformable, polye'sterurethane foam cube is suspended by a cord from the ceiling of a room. Each of the opposing players, seated on radially opposite side of the cord,

grasp a bat and alternately strike the cube and propel it toward his opponent.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUBEB 41m 3.776.551

INVENTORS I JOSEPH P. SCHALLER E. CHRIS JORGENSEN BY LOUIS JJ. CRITELLI JR.

ATTORNEYS I RESILIENT RESIN FOAM POLYIIEDRON & BAT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an athletic and amusement apparatus and more particularly relates to a batting game ordinarily played by two competing players.

Many games, such as baseball, pingpong, cricket or golf, involving the striking of a ball with a bat means of some type. Such games require the direct physical participation of the players. They require skill in the ability to strike the ball as well as skill in propelling the ball in the desired direction. These games, however, ordinarily can not effectively be played in a confined area such as a room. In addition, it is difficult for a young child of, for example, two years of age, to begin playing and enjoying these games at such an early age because of the degree of skill needed even to play a rudimentary game.

All bat and ball games known to us involve the use of a spherical ball. Such balls, however, because they are perfectly symmetrical, can be directed by a player only by controlling the angle of incidence of the bat upon the ball or by applying a spin to the ball.

There is a need therefore for an exciting game requiring physical skill, mental alertness and strength and offering a fast moving contest which can be played by young children or adults in a confined area. Additionally, there is a need for a ball which can be impelled into additional types of movements and gyrations not possible with a spherical ball in order to add new excitement to a game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an amusement apparatus for being played by at least one person and preferably by two persons. The apparatus comprises a support frame from which a linking means such as a cord is suspended. A body is attached to the cord and is pivotally suspended from the support frame for moving pivotally relative to the support frame.

Preferably, the body moves between the players in an unobstructed playing area. Each player is equipped with a bat means for being grasped by the player and for striking the body. A non-spherical body when struck is capable of additional types of movements and gyrations which can not be applied to a spherical ball.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved game apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game which can be played in a confined area and yet which requires substantial athletic skill.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game with a ball means to which unusual movements and gyrations may be imparted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game which may be played by very young children as well as adults.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a pair of opponents playing a game utilizing the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the preferred bat used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective illustrating details of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows two persons 10 and 12 appropriately seated in chairs 14 and 16 and playing a game utilizing the apparatus of the invention. A portion of the ceiling 18 of a room is illustrated and functions as a part of a support frame. Of course, other support frames, such as a tree limb, could be used. A linking means 20 such as a cord or chain is attached at its top end to the ceiling 18 for being supported thereby. The linking means 20 has a preferably non-spherical body 22 connected at its lower end so that the body 22 is pivotally suspended from the support frame. Because the body 22 is suspended from a ceiling 18 rather than from a pole in the floor or ground, or the like, the playing area is unobstructed. Of course, a net or other structure, such as used in tennis, could be positioned in the playing area, but this is optional and the area above the net would nonetheless remain unobstructed for passage of the body 22.

Each of the players illustrated in FIG. 1 grasps a bat 24 in his hand and uses it for striking the body 22. The details of the preferred bat are illustrated in FIG. 2.

The bat 24 is a cylindrical, hollow, blow-molded, plastic bat having a generally cylindrical batting portion 26 and a tapered handle grip portion 28. The preferred bat is approximately 11 inches long and has a batting portion 26 with a diameter of approximately three inches. The handle grip portion 28 of the bat 24 is provided with longitudinal grooves 29 for improving the friction between the grasping hand of a player and the handle grip portion of the bat 24.

The details of the basic structure of the preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated in FIG. 3. A pair of connectors 30 and 32 approximately one inch square are provided with tying loops 34 and 36 for convenient attachment to a linking means such as a cord 38. On the surface of the connectors 30 and 32 opposite the side of the tying loops 34 and 36 is a contact adhesive for attaching the connector 30 to the ceiling and the connector 32 to the body 22.

The preferred body 22 is a resilient resin foam cube, particularly one made of polyester-urethane foam. Such a material provides a body 22 which is light in weight and resiliently deformable to make it light, safe, fast and long lasting. Advantageously, it is three inches along each edge.

The use of a polyhedron, especially a cube, for the body 22 substantially improves the characteristics of a game played with this game apparatus. The various edges and projections available on a polyhedron permit it to be struck in such a way that it flips, flops, spins and hops and generally goes through types of gyrations not possible with a spherical body 22. Because of this additional movement, possible with such a body 22, the game requires a quickness of movement, strength and similar skills which would not be necessary with a spherical body 22.

Returning now to FIG. 1, the game is preferably played by a pair of players and 12 seated on chairs 14 and 16 on radially opposite sides of the cord 20. We have found it particularly advantageous to position the body 22 approximately three feet from the floor on which the chairs l4 and 16 are set. Additionally, we have found that the players 10 and 12 should be spaced a distance which permits the body 22, when pivoted along its arc of movement, to be positioned at the forehead of each seated player.

The body 22 is suspended by the cord linking means 20 in such a manner that it is pivotally suspended from the support frame which, as illustrated includes the ceiling 18. The body 22 is then batted by one player toward his opponent and his opponent bats, if he can, the body 22 to return it to the original batter. This service and volley can then continue and the game is played according to suitable rules.

For example, a first player may serve the body 22 into the region of the second player to begin a game. A point is then scored whenever a player, during the subsequent volley misses striking the body 22.

Because the body 22 moves in a pendulum-like manner, the game apparatus can be used by a single player who merely bats the body 22 away from himself.

Furthermore, other types of bats might be used with the apparatus of the invention. For example, a bat in the shape of a conventional pingpong paddle could be used although its wind resistance makes it less desirable for this game.

Thus, we have provided a game which can be played by small children because the body 22 is not easily lost and always returns to the center of the playing area. A small child begining the game will be able to compete with another small child. As the child grows, he acquires more skill. A child can continue to play the game as he grows older and becomes an adult. Additionally, the game can easily be played indoors in a confined area and is particularly suitable for being played by invalids such as persons confined to wheelchairs. Although, the game is confined and can be played without substantial movements of the entire body it nonetheless is a fast competitive game requiring substantial speed and skill in the use of a persons arms and hands.

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe a preferred embodiment of the invention, they are for the purposes of illustration only, that the apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement apparatus for being played by at least one person, said apparatus comprising:

a. a support frame;

b. a linking means comprising a cord attached at the top end to said support frame and suspended therefrom for pivotal movement relative thereto;

c. a non-spherical body comprising a deformable, resilient resin foam polyhedron having relatively protruding portions, attached to said linking means and pivotally suspended from said support frame; and

d. a bat means for being grasped by said person and for striking said body.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said polyhedron is a cube.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cube comprises a polyester-urethane foam.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pair of bats are provided for grasping by a pair of persons seated on radially opposite sides of said cord and for striking said polyhedron.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said polyhedron comprises a polyester-urethane foam cube.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a rigid loop connector is attached to said cube and another rigid loop connector is attached to said support frame and said cord is tied at opposite ends to the loops of said connectors.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said support frame comprises the ceiling of a room. 

1. An amusement apparatus for being played by at least one person, said apparatus comprising: a. a support frame; b. a linking means comprising a cord attached at the top end to said support frame and suspended therefrom for pivotal movement relative thereto; c. a non-spherical body comprising a deformable, resilient resin foam polyhedron having relatively protruding portions, attached to said linking means and pivotally suspended from said support frame; and d. a bat means for being grasped by said person and for striking said body.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said polyhedron is a cube.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cube comprises a polyester-urethane foam.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pair of bats are provided for grasping by a pair of persons seated on radially opposite sides of said cord and for striking said polyhedron.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said polyhedron comprises a polyester-urethane foam cube.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a rigid loop connector is attached to said cube and another rigid loop connector is attached to said support frame and said cord is tied at opposite ends to the loops of said connectors.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said support frame comprises the ceiling of a room. 